[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12924]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SERVICE OF DEBBIE SUTTON

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of 
California's Thirty-Seventh Congressional District to honor the courage 
and service of Ms. Debbie Sutton.
  Ms. Sutton, a retired nurse from Long Beach, California was the sole 
volunteer from Long Beach's Chapter of the American Red Cross to be 
assigned to help in relief efforts after a devastating tornado ripped 
through Joplin, Missouri in May of 2011. The tornado that passed 
through the town of Joplin was so extensive, that it damaged the local 
hospital, destroyed four local schools and left surrounding areas in 
tatters. Ms. Sutton, one of the lead members of a volunteer team 
assigned to help residents of Joplin, played an integral role in 
securing replacements for lost medical equipment, medicine and other 
goods essential to public health.
  Before Ms. Sutton was called to aid in the post-tornado recovery 
efforts in Joplin, she had been working to set up health services in 
preparation for floods in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ms. Sutton's role in 
assisting those in need in Joplin represents her fifth assignment as a 
volunteer in post-disaster recovery. Ms. Sutton also assisted in 
recovery efforts after hurricanes Rita and Katrina devastated 
Louisiana.
  Ms. Sutton retired from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human 
Services in 2004, and is a truly an outstanding member of our 
community. In her retirement, Ms. Sutton has dedicated herself to 
volunteering. Her enthusiastic, adventurous, and altruistic personality 
serves as a model for all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring 
Ms. Debbie Sutton for her commitment to public health and public 
service.

                          ____________________